Ways to Keep a Wildfire From Burning

Ground Resources

• Bulldozers and tractor plows are used for fire suppression. Tracked vehicles with attached plows clear out vegetation much quicker than human firefighters. The vehicles are used to build firebreaks and a fire line. A fire line is a linear fire barrier dug into mineral soil to deter or prevent the advancement of the fire. Water is carried in to douse wildfires. A Pulaski, a combination trenching and chopping tool, is designed to grub or trench in matted roots.

Air Resources

• Air tankers are large planes equipped with tanks that provide direct aid to firefighters on the ground by dropping thousands of gallons of chemical retardant or water ahead of an advancing wildfire. Helicopters fitted with tanks or Bambi Buckets drop water, chemical retardant or foam to cool hot spots and prevent the fire from spreading. The Bambi Bucket is a collapsible bucket slung beneath the helicopter that is designed to dip into and fill up with water from different sources.

Firefighters

• Firefighting clothing has evolved, taking into consideration the safety of firefighters and the public. Fire-resistant pants and shirts are made of a special high-strength synthetic material. Aluminized fire shelters offer protection by reflecting radiant heat and offering a volume of breathable air if firefighters get trapped by the wildfire.

Safety Zones

• Homeowners can take a variety of safety measures. Vegetation is fuel for a wildfire, so a 30-foot safety zone should be created around the home. The volume of vegetation in this zone should be kept to a minimum. A second zone of at least 100 feet should also be created. This zone should be located about 30 feet from the home and should extend to a minimum of 100 feet. The zone should have as little flammable vegetation as possible. The zone should be extended for several hundred more feet if you live on a hill, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Home Safety

• Exposed space beneath a balcony, porch or overhang is fuel for an advancing fire. Vegetation and debris should be cleared, and a 1/2-inch mesh screen should be installed from all overhangs to the ground. Enclosing eaves will avoid trapping heat. House vents should be covered with wire mesh to prevent embers and flaming debris from entering the home. Siding should be fire-resistant. Safety glass installed in windows and sliding glass doors will help prevent radiated heat from passing through and igniting combustible materials inside the home.